Botolphs Bridge Inn — Restaurant in Folkestone and Hythe District

Our visit to The Botolphs Bridge Inn was extremely disappointing, and I would strongly advise others to avoid this pub.

The problems began well before we even arrived. Booking a table for 12 was an ordeal. When I first enquired and left my number, they managed to call me back immediately to confirm availability – yet afterwards, when it came to actually paying the deposit, I made multiple calls myself and was repeatedly reassured that “it’s all in hand” and that the manager would be in touch. That call never came. On arrival, we were met by an extremely rude staff member who loudly claimed, in front of the whole pub, that they had been “trying to get hold of me” for the deposit and pre-order. This is absolute nonsense – I had zero missed calls, and they had my email address too. Not one attempt was made to email me. To suggest otherwise was fabricated, untrue, and utterly unprofessional.

The poor customer service only continued. Two children in our party were served kids’ roast dinners, which prompted staff to question their ages at the table. The menu states “8 years and under” for kids’ roasts, but we reasonably assumed this was a guide – because who in this day and age imposes age limits on food orders? A kids’ meal is simply a smaller portion at a smaller price, nothing more. Yet staff chose to discuss it openly and negatively amongst themselves behind the bar, criticising the colleague who had taken the order, all within earshot. It was disrespectful, awkward, and completely unnecessary.

Service was slow, and when the food did arrive, it was dreadful. The pub boasts on its menu that it offers “quality not quantity” – we experienced neither. Several items promised on the roasts never arrived, and what did was bland, poorly presented, and deeply disappointing. The overall atmosphere was hostile, made worse by the behaviour of one particular staff member (a lady with short curly ginger hair, who appeared to be the manager or owner), whose rudeness and attitude left us feeling unwelcome throughout.

The facilities were also substandard. The toilets were dirty and the baby changing area was in such a poor state I wouldn’t have considered using it.

In summary, this was one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had: disorganised, rude, dishonest, and with food and facilities far below standard.

It doesn’t even warrant an 1 star rating, avoid this pub...

This is a local pub haven’t been here for many years, fancied eating a Sunday roast out so booked a table. When we got there, there was no staff around we was standing at the bar for a good 10 mins before any staff showed up, took us to our table took our order for drinks and then meals.

Now all our family love Gravy but our dinners came out swimming in it the the potatoes, Yorkshire, parsnips and burnt stuffing was swimming, they brought out to small dished of veg which was cooked ok and a bowl of cheesy cauliflower and Broccoli. Was not asked if we wanted any condiments, and wished they left the Gravy off and brought out in a Gravy boat. Iv had worse dinners but Iv had better to be honest.

We decided to have pudding I had Jam roll poly and custard to take away which was a very heavy sponge, not really any jam in it, my daughters was ok and my grandsons was ok, unfortunately my husbands was awful he asked for a banoffee cheesecake which was nothing of the sort, it was a very small glass bowl with some biscuit in the bottom with a sloppy banana tasting something that hadn’t set with a load of chocolate powder sprinkled on top there was no banana or caramel type toffee that you would normally have as part of banoffee. Yes we should have told them but we didn’t. Maybe it was just an off day for them shame really as we won’t go back just no atmosphere, not a lot of staff or interaction no asking if we wanted any condiments yes we could of asked but shouldn’t have to. I don’t know just disappointed really as had good reports and looking at the pictures at their food they show on the website, was nothing like...

Arrived on spec for an evening meal without a reservation and were able to get a table for five of us The staff explained that the kitchen was very busy and that there would be a wait and kept us updated with the progress of our food order Our food order included steak and ale pie, fish cakes both served with seasonal veg, mixed grill, chicken and lasagne All thoroughly enjoyed by us, lots of empty plates except youngest grandson who having polished off two large fishcakes wasn't bothered about his veg because he wanted room for his pudding!! He also felt very sorry for the chefs as they were doing all the work while we were just sitting there We all had our puddings apple crumble with custard, ice creams, chocolate brownies, summer pudding All very delicious 😃 At the end of the meal we received, with the bill, mints for the adults and mini chocolate flakes for the children, a lovely touch! The staff were all very friendly and made time to talk to us whenever they came to the table Unfortunately, we weren't able to fit in another visit here during our holiday but will definitely have to...